GS400 vs. DV953 at DVinfo.net

Kyle Prohaska · September 2nd, 2005, 07:57 PM

Ok sorry for another thread right after another but this is another important question of mine. DVspot and other reviews of these 2 cameras compare them and give basically the same results. Excellent image quality, the DV953 has the better still photo's but what im really concerned about is the other stuff like image quality, controls, etc. Which would you suggest and why? I can get either but I want to make sure I make the right choice.

Thanks,

-Kyle

Greg Boston · September 2nd, 2005, 09:18 PM

As an owner of the 953, I can tell you that it's a wonderful camera and will give you beautiful video given if ample light to work with. The 1/6 ccd's are a little blind in low light, but that's to be expected. You wouldn't be disappointed with either camera.

-gb-

Kyle Prohaska · September 2nd, 2005, 09:56 PM

Its not about me not being dissappointed, I want to know what I can really do with this camera. Ill be using this for school video projects and want to know if I can later get a upgradable mic like the DM-50, and a good tripod. I was looking at the GS250, is the audio level manual control the only huge difference between that and the GS400? The still photo on the GS400 is better but big deal to me, lol. Anyone else have any input?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

That kit looked sweet to me.

-Kyle

Guy Bruner · September 3rd, 2005, 07:26 AM

If you have a choice, get the GS400. The DV953 is a great camcorder, but the GS400 has better picture quality in low light and is more sensitive. The manual controls are better. And, it shoots full quality widescreen. You can use external mics with either one.

The spread between the GS400 and GS250 is more than just audio level control. LCD, manual controls, picture adjust, true widescreen are some.

Greg Boston · September 3rd, 2005, 08:53 AM

Thanks for chiming in Guy. I remember when we held my DV953 and your GS400 up next to each other at NAB. Apparently, they have more similarity on the outside than they do inside. Can you expand on the 'more manual control' with the GS400?

-gb-

Guy Bruner · September 3rd, 2005, 03:41 PM

Hi Greg,
Well, the GS400 has a multi-manual ring. In addition to focus, you can adjust iris, shutter, and zoom. Also, the picture adjust adds exposure and contrast to the sharpness and color settings on the DV953. Lastly, the GS400 offers Procinema mode which is frame mode with cinema-like picture settings and gamma.

Greg Boston · September 3rd, 2005, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy Bruner

Hi Greg,
Well, the GS400 has a multi-manual ring. In addition to focus, you can adjust iris, shutter, and zoom. Also, the picture adjust adds exposure and contrast to the sharpness and color settings on the DV953. Lastly, the GS400 offers Procinema mode which is frame mode with cinema-like picture settings and gamma.

Thanks Guy for the info. I have also been praising some still images posted by Leigh Wansted in another thread. Those are great stills considering they're coming from a camcorder.

-gb-

Guy Bruner · September 3rd, 2005, 06:33 PM

Yeah, Leigh takes some really fine stills with the GS400.

Bill Binder · September 3rd, 2005, 08:46 PM

Although almost any decent digital camera will blow away either of these cam's photo capabailities, which is why I pretty much never take stills with my GS400. That said, I love my GS400...

Leigh Wanstead · September 3rd, 2005, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Binder

Although almost any decent digital camera will blow away either of these cam's photo capabailities, which is why I pretty much never take stills with my GS400. That said, I love my GS400...

Hi Bill,

I just couldn't resist telling you this link. ;-)

Regards
Leigh

September 2nd, 2005, 07:57 PM	#1
Kyle Prohaska Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ransomville NY Posts: 239	GS400 vs. DV953 Ok sorry for another thread right after another but this is another important question of mine. DVspot and other reviews of these 2 cameras compare them and give basically the same results. Excellent image quality, the DV953 has the better still photo's but what im really concerned about is the other stuff like image quality, controls, etc. Which would you suggest and why? I can get either but I want to make sure I make the right choice. Thanks, -Kyle

September 2nd, 2005, 09:18 PM	#2
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	As an owner of the 953, I can tell you that it's a wonderful camera and will give you beautiful video given if ample light to work with. The 1/6 ccd's are a little blind in low light, but that's to be expected. You wouldn't be disappointed with either camera. -gb-

September 2nd, 2005, 09:56 PM	#3
Kyle Prohaska Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ransomville NY Posts: 239	Its not about me not being dissappointed, I want to know what I can really do with this camera. Ill be using this for school video projects and want to know if I can later get a upgradable mic like the DM-50, and a good tripod. I was looking at the GS250, is the audio level manual control the only huge difference between that and the GS400? The still photo on the GS400 is better but big deal to me, lol. Anyone else have any input? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation That kit looked sweet to me. -Kyle

September 3rd, 2005, 07:26 AM	#4
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	If you have a choice, get the GS400. The DV953 is a great camcorder, but the GS400 has better picture quality in low light and is more sensitive. The manual controls are better. And, it shoots full quality widescreen. You can use external mics with either one. The spread between the GS400 and GS250 is more than just audio level control. LCD, manual controls, picture adjust, true widescreen are some.

September 3rd, 2005, 08:53 AM	#5
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	Thanks for chiming in Guy. I remember when we held my DV953 and your GS400 up next to each other at NAB. Apparently, they have more similarity on the outside than they do inside. Can you expand on the 'more manual control' with the GS400? -gb-

September 3rd, 2005, 03:41 PM	#6
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	Hi Greg, Well, the GS400 has a multi-manual ring. In addition to focus, you can adjust iris, shutter, and zoom. Also, the picture adjust adds exposure and contrast to the sharpness and color settings on the DV953. Lastly, the GS400 offers Procinema mode which is frame mode with cinema-like picture settings and gamma.

September 3rd, 2005, 06:33 PM	#8
Guy Bruner Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ashford, AL Posts: 937	Yeah, Leigh takes some really fine stills with the GS400.

September 3rd, 2005, 08:46 PM	#9
Bill Binder Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 542	Although almost any decent digital camera will blow away either of these cam's photo capabailities, which is why I pretty much never take stills with my GS400. That said, I love my GS400...